So this is forty something....: 2018wrapup

Hello!
Continuing my effort to get back to recording our adventures of 2018, let's look at April through May!
Since Ajay had taken off for Mid-Winter break, he wasn't fortunate enough to take off for spring break as well. So for spring break, I decided to take the girls back to Indiana to visit family there. Typically traveling with the girls sans Ajay can give me a little bit of anxiety. It takes an enormous amount of energy to keep things positive and avoid bickering.
Here's Ajay and Alia when I told them of my plans to literally fly solo with connections with both girls and only carry-on luggage:

But know what? We did it! We flew without incident, made our connections, and yes, the girls were able to manage their bags themselves for the most part. While I do pack snacks for the plane, I also give them free-range to buy Doritos and other stuff like that that we don't normally eat, on layovers. It passes the time and makes the layovers and transitions bearable. So, once we made it to our final destination, my sister's house, we settled in for the next 5 nights.

The best part for me was seeing so much of my family that I don't get to see very often. My sister and brother-in-law, Tim, were really kind to host us. Tim took the girl to play tennis one morning at his club. Both girls had a good time, and Uncle Tim learned quickly the competitive spirits of his nieces...mainly with one another!

Amelie at play with Uncle Tim

Also at the top of the list for me was seeing my girls and niece and nephew all together. My husband Ajay is Indian, and my brother's wife is Phillipine, but the Pate genes make them recognizable as cousins!

Me, my brother, and sister with David, Allison, Amelie and Alia

So glad time allowed the trip to happen! The girls thrived getting to know their cousins better and meeting their second cousin with whom they'd only loosely written letters with over the years.

Cousins!!!

Amelie and me at the Flight of the Butterflies at the Evansville Museum

My Mom with her grandkids at Turronis Pizza in Evansville, IN

My Aunt Linda, Mom, and the girls' cousins at dinner

OH! And one of the very best highlights for me for 2018? Getting to spend some time with this girl. My BFF from 3rd grade through high school. We went through it ALL together. Sometimes with distance, sometimes with disagreement, but I really hope, always with support. Our lives were not easy as teenagers ( I know...no one has it easy.....but I mean, we REALLY dealt with some shit!!!) I am so grateful she drove two hours both ways to see me and meet my girls!

After I returned to Laguna, it seemed like the last 6 weeks of school dragged a little. We had some soccer, with Alia being pretty much permanently in goal...this is her passion and identity...as a 10 year old. It could change; however she's been in goal since 7 and we think she's doing a great job!